The European Union and UN Women ⁽¹⁾ signed a new memorandum of understanding, on 16 April, that strengthens the partnership between the two organisations to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment around the world and ensures closer collaboration on advancing women’s rights through the exchange of information, expertise and analysis. The agreement was signed outside the Sustainable Energy for All summit by High Representative Catherine Ashton, Development Commissioner Andris Piebalg and the Under Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, Michelle Bachelet.

The two organisations will work together under their new partnership on gender equality policies and programmes. They will also regularly share information and analyses to improve their collaboration. Work will focus primarily on ensuring women’s representation in decision making in the economic, political and judicial spheres worldwide and expanding women’s employment and social opportunities.

The partnership will also permit the two organisations to work together on combating sexual and gender-based violence. This will include a commitment to increase support and protection to survivors of violence and increase access to support and services for affected women.

The EU and UN Women already work together under a programme to help governments, civil society and donors improve resources and accountability on gender equality in 15 countries.